{{
`${userDetail.user.displayName}${userDetail.user.cachedBungieGlobalDisplayNameCode ? `#${standardizeBungieGlobalCode(userDetail.user.cachedBungieGlobalDisplayNameCode)}` : ""}`}}
{{getUserClans()}}
11/9/2012 1:19:36 AM
64
The Man Who Sang to the Stars
[May 2ND, 2554, Earth, Norfolk UNSC Naval Academy]
Major Eric "Smooth" O'Kife just finished teaching these young naval cadets on photographic intelligence. They were eager young minds who had been taking his Introduction to Electronic Surveillance 101.
This course educates the student on devices from a lapel cam to Drones. Useful applications in collecting intelligence and how to gather useful nuggets of intelligence.
Students filed out of the class room as the class was concluded for today.
Clearing up his notes on his holo display at his desk. He looked up to see Samantha Bright one of his top students." Sir that was quite informative today. I learned a great deal about how even with the best equipment it still comes down to the human factor."
Eric smiled at the young woman who was a lovely young brunette. " I related it back to World War Two when they did not have computers yet were able to get air recon over targets. In those days a pilot had to fly a mission to take the pictures. Later it developed into spy planes that were useful in the Cuban Missile Crisis and Even During the Vietnam Conflict. If you look it up you can find out how we got to drones and satellites but yes there is still a human factor in this."
Samantha shook her head yes at him. Excitement in her voice." I shall look that up sir. Thank you." She curtly left his classroom as he returned to clearing up his notes.
Stepping out of the class room he ran into the Commandant of the Academy. Who was making his rounds. He stopped to chat with Eric for a moment." Major i am glad i ran into you. I hope you have been treated well. Navy is not used to seeing Air Force personnel but you come highly recommended. The Covenant War has left us short handed."
Eric simply nodded at the true statement having lost too many good friends to the Alien Menace that was thankfully over." I am glad to be here sir. I accepted due to the fact my experience might rub off on these young minds. I accepted this position due to shortages all over and it i am proud to help out." This Made the Commandant smile.
" Good..good" Patting Eric on the shoulder." We should have a drink in the next staff meeting. I need to take care of a few things but we desperately need ten more of you but i will take what i can get so we can get these cadets graduated. Tell you more later keep up the good work." Patting Eric once again on the shoulder the Commandant walked on down the hall.
Exiting the building Eric did seem a bit out of place but his record shows he was willing to work with any one who worked with him. He headed back to his officer billet. It was a single house on a simple street. Military housing still was on the base yet he knew he would have to do "Paperwork" from his terminal inside.
He got into his car driveing off looking at the main building and its parade ground. Not to mention it's wet navy docks. Seamen have trained here for many years. He left the parking lot heading home.
After parking his car Eric entering his house. His loyal companion was a six month old Golden Retriever named George. Who bounded over to give him puppy kisses when he bent down to pet the dog. Passing his small Living room that lead to his kitchen he sat down opening his computer interface then petting George who was so happy to see him.
Giving George his favorite bone the dog happily chewed on it. Eric turned to do a few hours of work. He created a lesson plan for next week. George waged his tail before whimpering he was hungry.
Eric stood up feeding his loyal companion in his small kitchen. Giving George a pat on the head Eric looked outside to see that night had fallen.
Walking over to a worn guitar case. He took out his guitar from a case that was sitting on a couch. It had a blue finish yet was a familiar brand. Grabbing a few beers he headed out back. Carrying the instrument into his back yard,Plugging in his guitar to his set up.
It was a clear night with the stars shining bright. He left the sliding glass door open for George to come out if he wanted. Sitting down on a pre placed chair Eric began to play the blues.
It seemed as if time melted everything away. Even the crisp night air did not bother him. Twenty years of war faded from mind as he sang to the stars.
[Edited on 11.08.2012 5:29 PM PST]
-
[0956 hrs October 26th, 2525, Waycrest Science Ward, Eden] S.Sergeant Eric"Smooth"O'Kife Had taken refuge in a corner with his grenade launcher. This battle was over for now. Alien blood joined human blood on the floor. He had taken a hit to the stomach from one of those energy pistols. It hurt pretty bad. He was fortunate that it clipped him instead of burning through his armor. Liz walked over with Sgt. Valentine who noticed L.C. Hernandez arm was severed. Eric had his medi-kit open working on the L.t. Commander who had passed out from blood loss. Eric was unsure why it seemed the man was healing when he lost an arm. Using a like substance that looked like blue gel he applied it on the mans arm that was cut off at the elbow. It joined the bandages sealing its self to the wound as it halted the loss of blood flow. Injecting a blue pencil then red as he injected drugs then a dose of plasma. Lastly he took out a special device given to special forces units only. Not every one carried one but the combat trauma surgeon kit contained nanomites that would stitch up wounds. Good thing L.C. Hernandez had one due to there experimental nature. He took the CTSK Injecting it into the base of the wound the nanometers began to repair flesh. Liz went to check for other survivors as she helped Sgt.Valintine with what she was doing. Eric stood up letting the healing work on Hernandez. " This is Wolf Pack one-three does any one read us ?" Gunny's voice came over the team channel." I copy one-three. Smooth i can hear you now i think the jamming is gone." Finishing up with Hernandez whose arm was being stitched from the inside. "Roger that. Hellhound is badly wounded. We were ambushed just outside safe point. We need to get them a Medevac while we press on. I think we are safe for now." The nanomites would flush out his system. " Come outside. Its too hot for a Pelican." Another voice cut in the line." This is Charlie Four. Jammer is down. We hear Wolf Pack Over." A female voice replied" Understood Charlie Four." Gunny Replied switching over to the right channel." Copy your signal Charlie Four. We have wounded. Need evac for Hellhound. Nice to hear you as well Allers." Eric during all of this with every ones help moved wounded outside. This building was half the length of the main campus. It had two levels,Second level was housing for staff the lower level was for projects. " Charlie Four is South of you at the Engineering Ward. We can come to you then secure area." Gunny sounded disappointed." Negative Charlie Four wounded needs help now. Wait one." Seeing them bring out the wounded. It they reached the entrance seeing there 'Hogs there was a sigh of relief. Though they were trained for endurance it seemed that this was pushing it for many of them. Gunny Dismounted his 'Hog as he did Casanova took his place on his hog. Liz even took a few hits yet she had nothing more than a limp as Eric watched her come out of the dark building. " Good you all made it back. I guess its on me now." Watching as L.C. Hernandez was put into the passenger seat of the Gauss Hog. " OK listen up. I know this is not what we expected. Sergeant i want you and Silent to get to Charlie Fours position. Get Hellhound out on a Pelican. I need it done five minutes ago." " Patching in Delta Able Actual in a moment." Com Tech Allers voice said calmly."Roger that." Gunny then turned to all of them." Form up on me." Every one else gathered around Gunny. Gauss Hog peeled out as the ODST driver stepped out letting Sgt. Valentine drive. They sped off as Eric was checking out his drones sensor array. His stomach did not hurt much unless he moved the wrong way. " This is Captain Night SITREP." As the Captains voice sounded neutral but stressed." This is Wolf Pack Four. We have one injured being currently taken to Charlie Fours position. One KIA. I have assumed command of the team sir." Gunny's voice sounded dismayed. " We are going to push to second objective. We lost some good people today. ODSTs took a bad hit. We are Green sir." Silence on the line then Captain Night replied." Understood. Task Force Ivan is holding off the enemy main advance. We do not have much time as the enemy plans to trap us here. Enemy ships are heading this way. We have about Sixteen hours to get out of system." " Charlie Four will be near in case you need them. I will have them head to your current position for final Evac. Get this done. Delta Able Actual Out." Gunny turned to face all of them taking his helmet off. " I just hope Hellhound-" Eric place a hand on Gunny's shoulder." Loud we need to move. Sooner we get this done. Faster we get off this rock." Gunny placed his helmet back on. " Right lets go see what ONI has been up to out here. Remind me to thank Charlie Four. Those Recon guys are crazy but my kind of crazy." Every one headed back into the building. " Hey Gunny i am starting to figure out what those aliens keep using on us. It emits some kind of EM signature." Gunny nodded to Eric." Keep me posted. I know it sucks that they can get past us." Eric sighed not saying anything more. Eric had his drone circling this place yet somehow they got passed it. He could warn his team now that it detected the anomaly. When he got back-if he did then looking over this data would be worth it. Every one came to a halt. There was a ONI Kiosk here. Eric moved up hitting the pad. Behind the Kiosk was a wall with the ONI Symbol. Typing in the code on the Kiosk key pad there HUD was updated as the false wall opened. Every one steeped inside then a door behind them closed another door opened showing leading into this small office with a single camera fallowing there movements. " Oh good you are here.-" Another voice male cut in as if the man pushed the first out of the way." Doctor let me do this. Take the Trolley over." O'Kife lead the way. His link to the drone was patchy but it would fallow its flight path collecting information. Solid steel door opened in front of them it was five inches thick as they passed through it getting on a Trolley car that carried them the rest of the way. Exiting another steel bunker like door cycled open as Two UNSC MP's waved them inside. Eric was impressed at this laboratory set up. A science team of seven were here with four Mp's with a single ONI officer in charge of all of this. Holo-displays hovered in the air of experimental wepons or new equipment. Eric had never seen anything like it. Nor did any one else. Gunny Introduced him self to the Officer." Gunnery Sergeant Brandon Shale of Wolf Pack. We are here to get any survivors with Tier one objectives out of here. "Well sergeant. We have been stuck here for some time now." Eric looked over a diagram that was not human. Some kind of Alien weapon from a console. " I am Lt. Colonel Kingston of ONI Special Projects Division. Before we were attacked. I was in charge of overseeing this facility. We were deciphering some information from that artifact we found." "I am unsure how they were able to interface with it but all of this has to leave with us or get blow to smithereens. Is there more help coming ?" Gunny could see this officer was unaware of allot of things. "Sir the entire planet has been put to the torch by alien's. We are from [i]Devils Advocate.[/i] Every one else except our crew is dead except you and those we found at the first objective." Gunny kept his voice calm. "What ? There all gone. I was just suppose to take it easy here. Babysit the science team. I got assigned here for drinking. Did my job for years just it was getting to me." The ONI officer ran his hand through his hair. " Look Gunny is it ?. Before we leave this place needs to get blown. You can use these wepons as well. Just make sure you do not give them to the enemy we have been reverse engineering them from alien tech." Pointing to the Forerunner schematics. " OK sir they need to pack cause were gonna be busy readying this place to blow." Gunny nodded to the science team. Fallow me i will get your team situated. We have a new Weapon called the Spartan Laser." Pointing to the bulky shoulder weapon as they fallowed Col. Kingston who gave them a tour of the labs. "Back here is our attempts to use this alien shield tech. So far no luck but we do have a working model in a cold room with a suit we think over there." Pointing to the sealed metal room that had a white armored suit. Walking back further they were in a garage like area with a Cyclops mech standing in the center instead it was changed." This is Project Zeus. Our attempt to create a combat mech using the Cyclops mainframe. " Every one sucked breath at the impressive machine. Single Gauss cannon in the right arm with a Vulcan Cannon used by most Warthogs in the left. Twin missile launchers protruded from the shoulders housed in armored launch pods. It was painted a forest camo to give it a more military look. Eric was impressed yet he looked to the others who probably did not have a clue how to drive one. " Liz can you drive that thing.?" Gunny asked looking at Liz who felt for the first time out matched." Not if i do not have the proper protocols or training Loud. I can try to jack into the things computer to interface. I will need Smooths help to do so."Lt. Col. Kingston listened to the exchange." I have them here-." "Oh i see you are enjoying our new toys. I am Dr. Weatherspoon the project lead here." A man in his sixties wearing glasses with unkempt grey hair stood with a old style clipboard in the crook of his arm. He looked more like a math teacher then a scientist. "Doctor can you get the others ready to go ?. We need all data portable when they rig this place to blow. We are taking what we can then destroying the rest." Lt. Col. Kingston informed Dr. Whitherspoon who was in shock. [Edited on 12.17.2012 10:53 PM PST]
